What Is Pipe Relining?

Pipe relining is a more cost-effective and efficient way to repair broken pipes. In the past, the only viable solution was to completely dismantle and destroy walls, gardens, driveways and slabs of concrete to gain access to the damaged pipes.

Pipe relining relines the inside of a damaged pipe to make it whole again – without the time-consuming process of massive dig-ups. Think of this process a little like keyhole surgery, gone are the days of large incisions and scars, now you can complete the same surgery with only a fraction of the scar.

What is the Process of Pipe Relining?

To begin with, a CCTV drain camera is inserted into the pipe, so the plumber can see what he is working with and if there are any blockages or reasons why the pipe is not working. After this, any blockages will be quickly removed with a high-pressure water jetter that can cut through anything blocking your pipes. Another check with the CCTV drain camera is completed to ensure that there is nothing left behind and that the pipe is ready for the next stage.

The plumber will then prepare the bladder and liner and insert it into the pipe, the liner is coated in a special resin so that when the bladder inflates it will adhere well to your old pipe. It can take a few hours for your new liner to cure. Another CCTV drain camera inspection is undertaken to ensure that your new pipe is fully functional and there are no possible leaks or other problems.

Who Can Do Pipe Relining?

Specially qualified plumbers are the only people who should be carrying out the process of pipe relining. This is an intricate process and should never be undertaken by someone that does not have the proper qualifications.

Our plumbers at Jetset Plumbing are specifically trained in the art of pipe relining and have undertaken countless hours to properly master this specialisation.

Although TV shows like The Block and House Rules have convinced some that they can tackle any handyman task themselves – we strongly advise that you seek a properly qualified professional when undertaking any plumbing task, especially pipe relining.

Why Should I Choose Relining Over Replacement?

It is completely understandable that some people may be a little hesitant toward a process they are unfamiliar with. Here are a few advantages and disadvantages of the process that will help you decide if this is the best course of action for you.

When using the traditional method of digging up and completely replacing your pipes, much time and money were wasted on things such as the excavation process as extreme caution and care were required to ensure no damage was done to other infrastructure down there. There are many additional expenses that could be completely negated by opting for the pipe relining method.

The only true disadvantage to pipe relining is that sometimes people let their pipes become so badly damaged that this process actually cannot take place. Pipe relining relies on the fact that there is a mostly intact pipe for the liner to stick to.

Severely damaged pipes can be caused from an extreme root intrusion that crushes the pipe in sections completely. While the pipe relining process can work very well over smaller holes, it cannot be functional with no pipe to work with whatsoever.